Branches Steel Orchestra is missing its first ever Carnival since the event started 49 years ago

-

 WBUR


Boston, Massachusetts, USA - Boston’s Caribbean Carnival parades are just around the corner, and one would expect that the bandleaders of such beautifully costumed mas — or masquerade — bands Soca & Associates and Misfit, or the symphonic steel sound of Branches Steel Orchestra, would be at their mas camps busily making final preparations for both the afternoon Carnival and early morning J'Ouvert parades down Blue Hill Avenue on Aug. 27.

...Branches is missing its first ever Carnival since the event started 49 years ago. At the heart of many of the absences is the long-running strife between bandleaders and the Caribbean American Carnival Association of Boston (CACAB), which presents Boston Carnival, billed as the largest BIPOC celebration in Massachusetts. The conflict comes down to the leadership of CACAB’s president, Shirley Shillingford.

see more

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Congratulations to arranger André White and Chord Masters Steel Orchestra - 2023 Single Pan Band Champions

-
Image
  When Steel Talks extends congratulations to arranger Andre White and Chord Masters Steel Orchestra on their capturing of the 2023 Single Pan Band Championship. Andre White Relevant content Single Pan Bands - 2022-2023 Finals Results - Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama - Chord Masters Steel Orchestra and arranger André White Take Championship Title Watch complete video of Single Pan Band Panorama Competition They are helping OUR culture expand - Panorama Single Pan Band Competition Champion performance by Chord Masters Steel Orchestra
Read more

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to scholar and panist Shelly George

-
Image
    Shelly George October 16th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Shelly George “Finding a place for steelbands to practice is one of the greatest challenges this current generation is facing. Not only is this a problem in New York but also in New Jersey where my home band practices.” Oasis Steel Orchestra in New Jersey has been her ‘homebase’ but she is equally at ease performing with New York’s major bands. She’s passionate about her pan of choice - the guitar, as it resonates throughout her being. The steelband art form means much to her, and in an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - panist, performing artist and designer Shelly George shares her reflections, experiences and views on Pan, and the steelpan art form overall. ...
Read more

When Steel Talks extends condolences to the family and friends of scholar, educator and panist Devon Cumberbatch

-
Image
Sincere condolences to the  Pan Lara, P an Evolution, Pan Masters and   Skiffle family, and the pan fraternity on the whole on the passing of  Devon Cumberbatch . Devon Cumberbatch “I would love for the instrument to be as mainstream as the piano, guitar or violin. It may have a ways to go, being a fairly young creation, but I believe pan can progress, develop and infiltrate music of all cultures. I would love to see it as an instrument for all peoples, and universally accepted. The history of the pan is just as important as the future where it can potentially end up and blossom.” -  Devon Cumberbatch    Related content:  Meet Devon Cumberbatch - Maryland ,   Details for Devon’s funeral:   Funeral Service is on February 8th at 12pm. Viewing starts at 11am. Capitol Memorial SDA Church 3150 Chesapeake St, NW Washington, DC 20008 Devon Cumberbatch SA
Read more

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to arranger and veteran panist Stefon West

-
Image
Stefon West October 18th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Stefon West Stefon West a Trinidadian national, who grew up in the village of Couva, began his musical journey and professional development by becoming a member of the Couva Joylanders Steel Orchestra. His passion for music began his drive towards growth and development using the National Instrument of Trinidad and Tobago as a medium. This self-motivation further lead him to strategically place himself for positions such as section leader, chief skills officer, and music committee member within the Couva Joylanders Steel Orchestra in which he was successful. Mr. West went on to pursue his grades in music literacy and was able to achieve a merit grade on completion of the Trinity Guildhall Music Literacy Exam. This achievement worked as a stepping stone...
Read more

Winning Panorama arranger Victor “Babu” Samuel, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, Patrick “Stone” Johnson and the former Honorable Prime Minister Baldwin Spence

-
Image
  Panorama champion arrangers and Prime Minister - Pictured left to right: Patrick “Stone” Johnson, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, the Honorable Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, and 2010 winning Panorama arranger Victor “Babu” Samuel  Related content: The Maestro, Arranger, Composer and Versatile Panist. Steelband Panorama Champions of Antigua and Barbuda Halcyon Steel Orchestra Wins Antigua & Barbuda 2010 National Panorama Title - Victor “Babu” Samuel is winning arranger! Total Antigua & Barbuda Panorama Champions Scholar, educator, champion Panorama arranger, drummer and ace panist Victor “Babu” Samuel has passed
Read more

Some accomplishments by the late great Anthony Williams as listed by former North Stars player David Maunday

-
Image
  Anthony Williams Some accomplishments by Anthony Williams as listed by former North Stars player  David Maunday Scientific Anthony Williams involved in putting pan on wheels in the late 1950s.   The placement of notes on the tenor pan in the 4th and 5th formation.   The grooving of notes on pans in a spider web pattern (more notes achieved).   Placement of notes on the six bass in fourths (a virtual lower extension of the tenor pan).   Placement of notes on their double second and 3 pan cello carries similar patterns making it easy for players to migrate from one section to the other.   Tony’s quality of tuning produced a very unique tone with his early use of harmonics.   Inventor of the 4 pan (a form of cello pan).   Anthony Williams made outsize pans (larger than the standard 55 gallon drums) using sheath metal which he tuned [into] some tenor pans, cellos and bass, some of which were used on the Ivory and Steel Recordings in 1969. ...
Read more

Scholar, educator, exceptional leader, composer, champion Panorama administrator and panist Michael Marcano has passed

-
Image
When Steel Talks extends our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Michael Marcano and Renegades Steel Orchestra on his passing. Champion administrator Michael Marcano  “...For it to be deemed the world’s greatest show, it must be of a certain caliber. Only the best steel orchestras in the land should be on display. A band can’t keep its doors locked for 11 months in the year, invest no time or effort in training young players, then come January, pull out some instruments, hire a bunch of mercenaries – for whom government must pay the bill - and enter Panorama.” Michael Marcano Related content:  Remembering Our Brother Michael Marcano by Andre Moses The Carnival Is Not Over Who Said So? Michael Marcano Pan on The Road’ - Renegades Steel Orchestra written by Jit Samaroo and Michael Marcano Renegades & manager Michael Marcano ready for 2007 South Panorama Finals
Read more

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to scholar, musician, educator and panist Jenessa Baptiste

-
Image
Jenessa Baptiste July 31st When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Jenessa Baptiste “I am always happy to see when persons take the time to walk up to me and say a simple, "hello Miss, I saw you on the newspapers, well done" or even " I love to see you play" or any comments along those lines. Then my entire family, friends and colleagues are just always so supportive that they would turn up for various shows or the simplest events that I participate in nationally or internationally.” -  Jenessa Baptiste She is a natural. Music and Pan have been in her blood from the very beginning. She is a first-rate musician, educator and bass-section leader in a massive, legendary steel orches...
Read more

*National Junior Panorama 2023 - 21 and Under Category Preliminary: Northern Region*

-
Image
  Northern Region* Band #1: Trinidad All Stars Youth Steel Orchestra Tune of Choice: Dead or Alive - Shurwayne Winchester Arranger: Kygel Benjamin   Northern Region* Band #2: BP Renegades Youth Steel Orchestra Tune of Choice: Out and Bad - Voice Arranger: Sheldon Peters Northern Region* Band #3: Pandemonium Youth Steel Orchestra Tune of Choice: Pop ah Bottle - Machel Montano Arranger: Tyreel Green Northern Region* Band #4: Desperadoes Youth Steel Orchestra Tune of Choice: Peace of Mind - Voice Arranger: Nathaniel Flemming & Louis Rogers Northern Region* Band #5: Shell Invaders Youth Steel Orchestra Tune of Choice: Out and Bad - Voice Arranger: Rashaun Williams Northern Region* Band #6: Hadco Phase II Pan Groove Junior Steel Orchestra Tune of Choice: Soca Capital - Sekon Sta Arranger: Triston Marcano
Read more